Sexting topic of assembly for students

Edwardsburg officials want kids to know consequences.

EDWARDSBURG -- Sexting, what it is and its consequences, will be the topic of an assembly for Edwardsburg Public Schools students after school starts Tuesday.

Superintendent Sherman Ostrander said school officials are seeking to be proactive by addressing the issue.

Ostrander has invited Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood to come in and speak to the students.

Additionally, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said, "Students need to be aware this will not be tolerated and prosecution may result in severe criminal charges."

Fitz said youths often don't think too far down the road. Unfortunately, it's become common for students to send pictures of private areas of the body to other students, he said.

"The practicality really can be devastating. When a picture is electronically reproduced it can last forever. It can negatively impact college applications and job seeking when the pictures are discovered. Kids need to know that today's boyfriend or girlfriend may be tomorrow's tormentor.

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"We have seen cases in Michigan where a student sends a picture of a girlfriend, and the kids passed it on to hundreds of other persons.

"The crime is a felony and puts him or her on the sex registration for at least 25 years," Fitz said.

It has similar ramifications to criminal sexual conduct charges. It's called production of child pornography. Sending images can lead to charges with distribution of child pornography. There are several charges involved, he said.

"They are child pornography, a 20-year offense; distribution, a seven-year offense; use of computer to manufacture it, 10 years."

Fitz said in Cass County there have been a small number of sexting cases, and his department has dealt with them on a case-by-case basis. He said the student also may lose his or her phone, which is sometimes a severe punishment for a 17-year-old.

The crime is usually discovered through students or parents, he said.

Board President Birdella Holdread said she is not aware of any sexting cases reported in the Edwardsburg school system at this time.

"We try to keep things up to date and keep them (students) informed, (by explaining) this is what happens and how quickly you can get in trouble," she said.